Cancer treatment utilizing pre-existing microbial immunity

Abstract

Methods, compositions, and kits for redirecting a preexisting immune response in an individual to reduce or stabilize a cancer in the individual.

1 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method of treating a solid tumor in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the solid tumor at least one immunogenic MHC-II-restricted antigen from a human cytomegalovirus (CMV) protein, wherein each MHC-II-restricted antigen recruits a naturally-occurring preexisting immune response to CMV to the solid tumor, wherein the MHC-II-restricted antigen is not expressed by any of the cancer cells of the solid tumor, and wherein the antigen is recognized by one or more components of the preexisting immune response. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the CMV protein is selected from the group consisting of pp50, pp65, pp150, gB, gL, gH, IE-1, IE-2, US2, US6, UL16, and UL18. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one immunogenic MHC-II-restricted antigen comprises the sequence set forth in one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-33. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising administering MHC-II-restricted antigens comprising the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1-33, wherein each MHC-II-restricted antigen comprises the sequence set forth in one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-33. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising administering an agent that augments the immune response. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the agent that augments the immune response is selected from the group consisting of a TLR agonist; an IL-1R8 cytokine antagonist; intravenous immunoglobulin (WIG); peptidoglycan isolated from gram positive bacteria; lipoteichoic acid isolated from gram positive bacteria; lipoprotein isolated from gram positive bacteria; lipoarabinomannan isolated from mycobacteria; zymosan isolated from yeast cell wall; polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid; poly (IC); lipopolysaccharide; monophosphoryl lipid A; flagellin; Gardiquimod; Imiquimod; R848; oligonucleosides containing CpG motifs; a CD40 agonist, and 23S ribosomal RNA. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the agent the augments the immune response is poly (IC). 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising administering at least one immunogenic MHC-I-restricted antigen from a human CMV protein. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the CMV protein is selected from the group consisting of pp50, pp65, pp150, gB, IE-1, IE-2, US2, US6, UL16, and UL18. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the at least one MHC-I-restricted antigen comprises the sequence set forth in one of SEQ ID NOs: 34-67. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein prior to introducing the antigen into the tumor, the subject is confirmed as having a preexisting immune response to the antigen. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein confirming the presence of the preexisting immune response comprises identifying a T-cell response to the antigen, in a sample from the subject. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administering is via injection. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the injection is direct into the solid tumor.